Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has a highly-regarded TMT practice with expertise in M&A, joint ventures, foreign investment work and venture capital. The firm has a varied client base consisting of technology, telecoms and media companies in addition to financial institutions and investors. Mark Robinson leads the Asia Pacific sector team with experience in mergers such as that between Gojek and Tokopedia. Harry Evans leads on a range of high-value commercial arrangements including outsourcing, development of software and IP agreements. Peggy Chow specialises in data and cybersecurity while Kathryn Thornton is well-versed in e-commerce.
TMT: foreign firms in Singapore
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
Practice head(s):
Mark Robinson
Other key lawyers:
Tomas Furlong; Jamie McLaren; Kathryn Thornton; Harry Evans; Peggy Chow
Testimonials
‘The team is well-versed in the technology space, has international reach and provides helpful advice.’
‘Peggy Chow is a trusted advisor on regional data and cyber laws.’
‘Harry Evans has done a lot of work and we value his expertise and commercial approach.’
Key clients
Alibaba
Amazon
Apple
Axiata
Beam Mobility
Bridgestone
Columbia Capital
DigitalBridge
Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB)
Keppel
Standard Chartered Bank and SC Ventures
The Carlyle Group
Work highlights
- Advised on the US$18 billion Gojek and Tokopedia merger, the US$1.3 billion pre-IPO fundraising of GoTo, and the GoTo IPO valuing the company at US$32 billion.
- Advised Keppel on its US$2.2 billion take-private offer for SGX-listed Singapore Press Holdings (SPH)
- Advised a Singapore government-linked company on its negotiation with Formula One of a Sponsorship Agreement for the Singapore Grand Prix.
Norton Rose Fulbright
The technology and innovation team at Norton Rose Fulbright is experienced in regulatory compliance and investigations work in addition to intellectual property matters. The practice is at the forefront of the fintech space, advising institutions on agreements with crypto exchanges and cryptocurrency trading. The firm is also involved in disruption and innovation in the automotive sector. David Olds acts for telco operators and technology providers within the telecommunications sector. The team head, Stella Cramer has moved to Clifford Chance.
Other key lawyers:
David Olds
Testimonials
‘Depth and breadth of knowledge, responsiveness and collaborative approach.’
‘Norton Rose’s TMT provided expert advice on a new proposition – partnering with internal legal counsel to help us understand the whole proposition and to structure the right legal contracting approach.’
‘The team is excellent in communication and provision of advice.’
‘The team is proactive and will follow up to ensure that the client’s needs are adequately and properly addressed and provide alternative solutions.’
‘The team’s key strength is in advising technology and data practice. As an in-house counsel I have learnt a lot from their team especially in the field of data practice.’
Key clients
Accenture
AT&T
AXA
Axiata
HSBC
Northern Trust
Standard Chartered Bank / SC Ventures
CMS Holborn Asia
CMS Holborn Asia advises clients on cutting-edge regulatory and licensing issues in the telecommunications sector in addition to cybersecurity and day-to-day privacy work. The firm has also been active in the media streaming sector, acting for The Walt Disney Company on the launch of Disney+ in Singapore. Practice head Sheena Jacob has strong experience in cyber-security laws and data protection issues. She is supported by Denise Loh who manages trade mark and patent prosecution for clients. Cheng De Ko is involved in matters relating to technology and outsourcing.
Practice head(s):
Sheena Jacob
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Dapper Labs
Warner Media Discovery Inc
Microsoft
Integrated Health Information Systems Pte Ltd
Fossil
Finlync
HotStar
Willis Towers Watson
SP Group
Iron Mountain
GCN+
Mighty Bear Games
Vuulr
EverYondr
Strides
The Walt Disney Company
Vale S.A.
Equinix Asia Pacific
EverYondr Group
Nomu Pay Limited
NCS Pte Ltd
Singapore Telecommunications Limited (Singtel)
Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited
AMAN Resorts
Bottomline Technologies, Inc
Parkway Pantai
Chain Labs Private Limited
Work highlights
- Advised WarnerMedia Discovery on content regulation, advertising issues, NFTs, data protection and other issues in the APAC region.
- Advised Equinix on various projects, both regional and global, including on telecommunication licensing issues, data protection and critical infrastructure laws.
- Advised Disney on various regional projects, including on Disney+, e-commerce business, and various advertising and regulatory matters.
Linklaters
The TMT team at Linklaters has a range of expertise in tech, data, commercial and regulatory issues. The firm acts for telecoms companies such as Microsoft and financial institutions including Standard Chartered Bank, Citi and UBS. The team has an excellent reputation for advice on data privacy, payment systems and digital banking. Adrian Fisher heads the practice and specialises in technology transactions and data privacy. Niranjan Arasaratnam covers the the corporate, commercial and regulatory aspects of tech and telecoms.
Practice head(s):
Adrian Fisher
Other key lawyers:
Niranjan Arasaratnam
Testimonials
‘Broad range of commercial experience in privacy matters.’
‘Adrian Fisher is commercially minded.’
‘Strong technology regulation capability, in particular on data privacy but also ESG/sustainability, cybersecurity, and public sector procurement. The team uses technology well and is open to new approaches e.g. using Microsoft Teams to share drafts and discuss issues instead of relying on email threads. The team takes the approach that they are an extension of ours, and welcome opportunities to collaborate and learn more about our business model, products and services- which in turn means they provide more effective advice.’
Key clients
EdgePoint Infrastructure (DigitalBridge)
Microsoft
Qatar Investment Authority
Trumid Holdings
Standard Chartered Bank
Citi
Work highlights
Pinsent Masons MPillay
Pinsent Masons MPillay has an established technology practice with lawyers working on commercial and regulatory matters. The firm is particularly strong in areas of law relating to venture capital, fintech and cryptocurrency. The team acts for leading international suppliers and vendors, advising them on technology infrastructure sourcing, cloud-based solutions and multi-sourcing. Alexander Shepherd advises on technology and IT procurement and co-heads the practice with corporate expert Nicholas Hanna.
Practice head(s):
Alexander Shepherd; Nicholas Hanna
Key clients
muru-D / Telstra
Eezee Pte. Ltd.
CloudSEK Research Pte. Ltd.
Work highlights
- Provided all legal services and administrative support to muru-D in relation to the portfolio in Asia Pacific.
- Advised CloudSEK Research Pte Ltd in relation to its US$7 million Series A fund raising round.
- Advised Eezee Pte Ltd in relation to its Pre-Series A fundraising round.
Milbank
The TMT team at Milbank is highly regarded and has experience in transactional mandates involving leading companies, investors and financial institutions. The practice is well-versed in multiple practice areas including corporate, finance and capital markets. Co-head Giles Kennedy is active across DCM and ECM and has expertise in commercial transactional work too. Other co-head Jacqueline Chan acts for financial institutions and investment funds with a focus on restructuring and corporate finance.
Practice head(s):
Giles Kennedy; Jacqueline Chan
Testimonials
‘Above all an ability to stand with a client and maintain a focus on the most effective solutions to any problem. Not just the law but how to make the law work for you.’
‘The team is empowered and associates and senior associates can act independently.’
‘Giles Kennedy is likely the most knowledgeable tower lawyer in Asia. Balance of technical and the practical and has seen enough situations to know what works – doesn’t waste time setting your opening position as infeasible but move quickly to the right negotiating range.’
‘Millbank is able to provide a range of services dependent upon requirements at particular time. Many of the projects have been multi faceted and they have always been able to provide the correct resources at the correct level to suit our needs. This flexibility has meant that we have not needed to engage multiple organisations in parallel.’
‘I have been working with Giles Kennedy for a number of years on telecoms matters. His industry knowledge immediately makes him stand out from the crowd, and also his willingness to take the time to listen and understand his clients’ needs to ensure that he delivers the service that they require and are expecting.’
‘Milbank seems to have a strong presence on TMT across different jurisdictions in South East Asia.’
‘Jacqueline Chan has a very client-oriented focus and has provided good suggestions on how to structure transactions to achieve the client’s commercial goals’
‘Team has a strong reputation for being user friendly and highly commercial friendly in acting in the best interest of the client.’
Key clients
PT Bukalapak Tbk
PTT Public Company Limited
WatchBanQ Group
Masan Group Corporation
PT Dayamitra Telekomunikasi (Mitratel)
PLDT Inc.
CVC Capital Partners
Baring Private Equity Asia
Work highlights
- Advised Bukalapak in connection with its US$1.5 billion initial public offering listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange – the largest Indonesian IPO to date.
- Advised telecommunications provider PLDT Inc. and its subsidiaries Smart Communications, Inc. and Digitel Mobile Philippines, Inc. in the sale of 5,907 telecom towers and related passive infrastructure.
- Advised Tiga Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company, in connection with a definitive merger agreement with Grindr.
Morrison Foerster (Singapore)
Morrison Foerster (Singapore) is valued for its work in advising companies and their investors in key areas such as fintech, digital financial services, e-commerce, blockchain and cryptocurrency. The firm also has a reputation for its M&A and transactional expertise around data centres on leasing, licensing, financing and purchasing issues. Practice head Shirin Tang specialises in private equity and venture capital transactions, while Lip Kian Ang represents startups, financial institutions and international funds. Jason Nelms focuses on fund formation work with several fintech clients.
Practice head(s):
Shirin Tang
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Commercially savvy and cutting edge.’
Key clients
Beam Mobility Holdings Pte. Ltd.
Intudo Ventures
Princeton Digital Group
Touchstone Capital Partners
Vectr Fintech Partners
Work highlights
- Advised a leading institutional investor in connection with Grab’s merger with special purpose acquisition company Altimeter Growth Corp.
- Advised Singapore-headquartered PDG on its plan to operate a multi phase data center campus in the Greater Tokyo area.
- Advised leading Indonesia-focused venture capital firm Intudo Ventures on the formation of and fundraising for Intudo Ventures III.
Reed Smith LLP
Reed Smith LLP ‘s IP, tech and data practice group covers the full spectrum of work in the TMT space including regulatory, compliance and licensing matters. The practice is also well-versed in transactional work such as acquisitions and joint ventures. Data specialist Charmian Aw co-heads the practice with Bryan Tan, who with Nathanael Lim is a recent hire from Pinsent Masons MPillay.
Practice head(s):
Charmian Aw; Bryan Tan
Other key lawyers:
Nathanael Lim
Testimonials
‘Strong in its data and privacy practice, offers practical commercial advice while giving legal counsel’
‘Charmian Aw, provides practical legal advice keeping in mind business and commercial sensibilities’
‘Their team is responsive and provides a great expertise, experience and insights in the TMT sector. Really active in tech M&A deals across APAC region.’